Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-03-10

4
said he, Once more | will seek the help
Of the hovines'
And opening the rude pine door, he
snugged himself down among the
calves, thankful to share in their
warmth, as he wrapped his cape close
about his shoulders.
Hail fellows we'll met thought he.
If they were gipsies or brigands now.
there might be something sentimental
in the whole affair. But-calves Well,
| may as we'll 60 to sleep. The danger
of freezing is oyer now.'
When he reused up from the DEATH
like slumber of thorough fatigue, the
partition door stood open, the calves
were munching sweet hay, and, wonder
of wonders, a ruddy fire Of brush wood
and pine cones were casting its retlec-
ton on the stone walls behind him ;
and two plump, cherry checked girls
sat on the floor, in front of the blaze,
talking to each other.
Pm asleep y thought Edgar Everly,
staring at the pretty transformations
scene which had sprung up so suddenly
in the midst Of the snowy darkness.
Dreaming shall wake up presently
with my toes and finger ends frozen
stiff But it's an uncommonly jolly
dream, anyhow, and I'll enjoy it while
| can. What is this delirious smell ?
IL can't he coffee and toasted johnny
cake, can it =? People don't smell
johnuy.cake in dreams, that ever l
heard off,
Just then a voice Lloke the thread of
his reflections.
How nice the coffee was 1t was
just like you, Rhoda, to think of bring.
ing it,
'Oh, well.' another sweet voice re
sponded, I've been out here before in
snow-storm. Somebody must go,
YOU know, and Ateck is IN Concord,
and fathers rheumatism is worse than
usual tonight. And Ted, the farm
boy, is always afraid Of Silver Peak
when it SHOWS. Nothing would induce
him to come.'
But weren't you afraid, Rhoda p
i p echoed the lark-swset tone.
Wasn't born here p
My words exactly thought our
hero. L should like to come out upon
the scene and ask for taste Of that
Arabian diaught, but might frighten
these mountain fairies away if l were
to be too precipitate. I'll be patient
and bide my time
And went on pretty Rhoda East
wood, Il knew it was possible we might
be detained here allnlght. SO | brought
the matches along, and the candles and
the pail of coffee
Hello = thought Mr.. Everly. Here's
a pretty kettle of fish ! l must come
out sooner or later. They're going to
stay here all night y
'Rhoda p whispered a soft little
voice.
We'll, Mamie p was the sweet an
swer.
AREN'T yon afraid now p
Afraid ?-you goose What should
l be afraid of p merrily retorted the
farmers daughter.
-don't-know,' slowly answered
Mamie. Only it's so lonesome
There are the calves, you know,
laughed Rhoda.
'Humph said Mr. EVERY to himself.
And ,t's St. Valentines Eve,' ad-
ded Mamie.
'Well,' said Khoda, what of that ?
They're going to have dance up at
Squire Everly's, said Mamie.
well, and how does that concern us?'
Il should like to have g0ne,' said
Mamie, ,clasping her knees after med
itative fashion. Il never was at Val
antine party. What does it mean,
Rhoda. anyway p
oh, I don't know = said Rhoda,
fnging fresh pine cones on the fire.
There's an old saying, l believe, that
the first man you see on st. Valentines
morning is your true love for the resi-
of the year,
And no longer p in accents of dis
appointment.
How do know p laughed Rhoda.
i never was at Valentines party,
either y
Il wonder whom we shall meet gong
| down the mountain tomorrow p said
| Mamie, after brief silence.
'As if it wasn't all nonsense y said
Rhoda.
How pretty she looked as she sat
there, with the flashing red reflections
dancing on her raven hair and mirrored
in her liquid brown eyes
But one must talk nonsense some
times pleaded Mamie. we have got
to pass away the time somehow. II
we go to sleep, and let the fire 60 down.
we shall be frozen to death. Oh, goo(
gracious ! what's that p